OMELIE / Omelie EN

28 dic 2025

28/12/2025 - Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph - Year A

28/12/2025 - Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph - Year A

First reading Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 from Psalm 127 Second reading Col 3:12-21 Gospel Mt 2:13-15, 19-23

The Gospel shows us very realistic images of Jesus’ family at three difficult times: they must flee Herod’s wickedness and seek refuge abroad, in Egypt, where another language is spoken and another religion is practiced. It comes back from Egypt as soon as possible, but cannot stop where it had planned: it was too dangerous. So it must settle in the village that already knew it, and that was inclined to judge it, regarding it with subtle contempt.

One thing is striking and should make us reflect: Joseph never makes his decisions by trusting his own reasoning or feelings, but he waits, and always seeks confirmation from above, a sign from God: this comes to him through a clear word in his dream.

Another reason for reflection for us is the unity we see experienced by Mary and Joseph, a unity in which the Child Jesus lives and grows. And, again, we see the peace and serenity with which Joseph and Mary experience the setbacks, difficulties, and hardships they are forced to face. For them, these are opportunities for obedience to God, opportunities to demonstrate their faithfulness to him.

This family, unique for the holiness that permeates it, is not about confirming the importance of material well-being. It is a family that must get used day by day to being poor and faithful to God, without comparing itself to other families, because its vocation and mission are different, new, to be discovered day by day.

Our families find great help in considering this obedience to God and mutual obedience, the patience and readiness of Mary and Joseph and the Child. And what the sacred text of the Gospels does not say, the Holy Spirit tells us in the depths of our hearts. In this light, we also see the kindness and respect that Mary and Joseph show each other, their veneration for the Child, a veneration that never ceases to be vigilant, while taking care never to complain about anything because in every situation God can manifest his will or realize his plans for the good of many.

The Holy Spirit also speaks to us of the Holy Family of Nazareth through the reading from Sirach. Mary, Joseph, and Jesus certainly lived their relationship according to what is written, with that wisdom that couples the love for God with the love, whether easy or difficult, for their relatives.

The apostle Paul also offers as an example the Word of God when he exhorts the faithful to make their families a place where the kingdom of God is manifest: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another!” By keeping the Word in their hearts, wives become capable of experiencing a sacramental love in their relationship with their husbands, one that relives the Church’s obedience to Jesus, and husbands, through their dedication and fidelity to their wives, represent even more fully that love of Jesus who offers himself for salvation. Children and parents also manifest God’s love, his goodness and benevolence, his patience and mercy through their shared life. This is not always easy, as Saint Paul also knows, because differences in age and education, and the different environments they live in, can give rise to profound misunderstandings. By looking at Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, we become capable of pouring into all our relationships the sugar of understanding, of God’s love, and of the kindness of the Holy Spirit!

We know that global organizations in recent years are planning the dissolution of the family through a culture that seems to want to eradicate the joy of communion and fidelity from the hearts of men and women. We, practicing Christians, do not wish to fall into line, but rather continue to live with a clearer awareness, as our specific mission, the beauty of the family unity, and therefore we continue to contemplate with love the Holy Family of Nazareth!